Loved library books

Photographer Kerry Mansfield makes art out of library books and check-out cards. Read more here or visit her website here. 

Sadly, "The Giant Golden Book of Dogs, Cats, and Horses" is not available in our library system.

And YOUR book title is...

Here's a fun time-waster. Create a best-selling novel out of the images and choices here and this quiz will give you the name of your autobiography. 

The Friends are quietly heartbroken to learn our novel should be entitled: 

Apparently we're not as special as Mom said we were.

Now that's just mean.

This publisher's rejection letter from 90 years ago is the most brutal thing you'll read today.

We hope.

Um, HOW do you say that??

Not too sure how to pronounce Gal Gadot's name? 

What about the real way to say nuclear? 

The Friends are here to help you sound like a true smarty pants.

You're welcome.

Is Your Vocabulary Good Enough To Pass This Synonym Quiz?

Some Friends got 9/10.

Surely you can get 10/10.

Vote early! Vote often!

Friends! If you need political inspiration today as you head to the polls, perhaps you'd like to read about 11 literary characters who should run for president.

And if you're still undecided about that town charter thing, go visit Amherst For All and Not This Charter. Then go hit your voting station and do your civic duty.

Wear your I Voted sticker proudly, Friends.

Final Music Series Event!

Did you get to see the ballet? Bang a drum with Cornell Coley? Join in with Roger Tincknell silently? Dress Aikendrum with the Nields? 

Here's your last chance to catch the 

2018 Children's Music Series at the Jones. 

We've got a puppet show for you!

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Authors give advice on their craft

If you're trying to write and having a tough go of it, here are some friendly bits of wisdom from folks who know. Like F. Scott Fitzgerald: "It has become increasingly plain to me that the very excellent organization of a long book or the finest perceptions and judgment in time of revision do not go well with liquor."

Excavating the pile of unread books beside the bed …

One cartoonist's take on the archeology of bedside books.

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A novel place to write

Trying to write the next American best seller? You don't need to find some fancy place where all the other authors have written their books. 

Nope. Just hit your local Hardee's. Cheaper and closer, Friends.

Book towns around the world

South Korea, Argentina, India... All of them have book towns. 

And? There's one in NY state. 

Not too far, Friends. Road trip?

Illustrated Sherlock Holmes

There's going to be a new illustrated Sherlock Holmes and 450 artists applied to illustrate it. They narrowed it down to 24 lucky souls. Now? Now we wait to find out. Want to see their work? Check this out.

Postponed -- but not canceled!

Silver lining: this gives you a little more time to finish 

The Secret History of Wonder Woman, 

in case you haven't quite yet.

If literature's "complicated men" were on Tinder?

We think you'll laugh out loud. We did.

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The Nields!

At the Jones!

Free!

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What if...

...Romeo and Juliet had an alternate ending?

Author Lisa Yee at the Jones

Author by day, crime-fighting super hero by night. 

Lisa Yee will be at the Jones Thursday the 22nd.

Feel free to bring your lasso of truth and wear your indestructible deflecting bracelets.

No invisible jets may be landed on top of the Jones Library.

35 literary bars and cafés from around the world

Have a martini (or three) where your favorite author did in 

these noteworthy cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Think you know "Heart of Darkness?"

Think again...

A good day for hot chocolate

Friends, it's a snow day. So you know what that means? 

Hot cocoa, baby. Hot cocoa.

Here are some real recipes based on fictional characters. 

Let us know if any are tasty.

Find out what Roald Dahl read for 10 years

And loads of other folks in NYC when you read this article on a private library in existence since 1754.

Saturday morning activity right here, folks.

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Ah Molly

We love you so...

Women in film and literature

According to a recent Vanity Fair article, women were better represented in Hollywood in the 1930s than they are now. According to this essay from the Journal of Cultural Analytics, female representation in fiction was better in the 1850s than 100 years later. 

What gives, world??

Hold the presses!

This Saturday's Music Series group is...

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THE PIONEER VALLEY BRASS TRIO!!!!

A trumpet! A horn! One of those sliding wah-wah thingies!

Come one, come all to this free concert this Saturday morning.

Highly scientific test, folks.

Take the test to see if you can name all these authors by sight.

Your day job

You might just want to keep it after reading a few of these: 

The 12 Worst Workplaces in Contemporary Literature.

Mary Wortley Montagu

Most of us have never heard of her. Those who have know that she was one of the first Englishwoman or man to become inoculated, or "variolated," against smallpox. This article about the British aristocrat, feminist, and writer famed for her letters home from abroad, points out that "without Montagu's advocacy, scholars say, variolation might never have caught on and smallpox would have been an even greater menace than it was."

Want to learn more? The library system has books of her letters right here, waiting for you.

Drum and dance the winter blues away!

Join us in the Woodbury Room at the Jones for a FREE performance.

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Know a teeny twinkle toes?

Maybe you're a fan of Misty Copeland?

Bring your budding ballet fan to the Pioneer Valley Ballet!

It's free, it's at the Jones, and it's THIS SATURDAY!

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See you there, Baryshnikov.